World Mental Health Day - How Do You Look After Your Mental Wellbeing at Work?

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

I manage my stress by making sure I diary in plenty of time to prep for meetings and reports because I know something will always crop up! My phone goes onto do not disturb from 6pm to 7am which helps me to switch off.

Can you share any personal strategies or practices that help you maintain your mental health at work.

Coming into the office and seeing everyone gives me a huge positivity boost. We have the most amazing team of people whose passion and energy sends the serotonin levels soaring.  

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

I don't have to. I have such a supportive employer that allows me to not only be myself, but to be independent and make a lot of my own decisions and use initiative. This has allowed me to feel in control and more confident in myself and it means I am also able to manage my time effectively and switch off and relax when it's needed. 

Can you share any personal strategies or practices that help you maintain your mental health at work.

I thrive off other people's energy and feel empowered in my role to be able to do something every day that makes a difference. Not only do I have the privilege of helping other people to make a difference and learn from my help, which in itself makes me feel good when I've helped people to empower themselves and progress, but I also genuinely learn from them and it puts a smile on my face every single day. My participants have helped me to grow in so many ways, whether it be finding new knowledge, trying a new activity with them, or participating in new social groups with them, I am fortunate to be able to find something each day to make me smile or laugh and I think this is really key to happiness and a clear mind. 

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

My focus when I'm stressed and working is to put value on things. I often tell myself "I have a fulfilling job" and  "this is exactly what you'd hoped for" and it gives me a better perspective for the day.

When I feel overwhelmed, I usually take 5-10 minutes to myself to concentrate on my breathing and go over some positive affirmations. I tell myself 'you have a lot going on because you want to make a difference at home and in society'. 

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

 I usually get up early. I go real slow. Make a good breakfast but very slowly. Just sensing the simple rattle of dishes and the smell of fruit or whatever presents. I sit and breath slow and deep for a few minutes. I allow the mind to settle. (I tend to have a very activated mind when I wake) So this like allowing the dust to settle.

I use a simple slow deep breathing technique during the day to prevent too much tightness squeezing me (mentally and physically)

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

Ensuring I take adequate breaks in the day. Also after work, ensure I have stress releasing activities such as exercising, cooking or learning another language.

Can you share any personal strategies or practices that help you maintain your mental health at work

Talking to colleagues when I start to feel overwhelmed. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

I meditate of a morning just 10 mins sets me up for the day. Remember that all things pass, so if I’m feeling stressed I know to take 5 deep breaths and reprioritise my work.

My personal strategies/ practices 

• Always have something to look forward to. Plan good times with family and friends.  A holiday, gig, catching up with friends etc.
• Make time for wellness to recharge your batteries whether that’s a walk in the park, meditation, reading a book, spending time with people who raise your energy, playing music.
• Have fun and appreciate the people I work with. 
• Use vibrations to reset my parasympathetic nervous system by going to soundbaths. 
• Journaling and gratitude journal. 

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

• Write things down and get them out of my head or talk things over with someone.
• Read either in the garden in the sunshine or in a nice bubble bath. I make sure I have time to read everyday
• I write stories
• I journal and do my gratitude journal
• Like Mo, always having something to look forward to, especially holidays.
• Planning adventures with friends
• Going for walk along the prom, love watching the sunset down there, love it if it’s wild and stormy. It grounds me. I don’t think I could ever move away from being by the sea.
• Laughing, I love to laugh and have fun.
• Protect my energy and focus on what gives me a feeling of happiness.
• Don’t watch MOTD when Liverpool have lost 😲

Question - How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance?

I make lists for work, write things down so I can forget about them, and book time in my calendar to do tasks so I know I will get round to them.

I’m getting better at leaving my work phone ‘off’, I switch the emails to ‘off’ and social media apps are all on no notifications.

I focus on creating an open, coaching culture at work, I believe happy people work better and stress less themselves…and that for me helps me manage my responsibilities and work/life balance. 

Personal strategies

• I listen to meditation podcasts which help to calm the mind if I need to, I love Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. 
• I work hard on prioritising sleep, which for me means getting up early to prioritise doing a workout, run or a swim, most days (I’m not perfect!).  It sets me up better for the day, lifts anxiety or low mood, helps with sleep regulation, and fitness is done before the day starts. 
• Taking up running as I approached 50 was the best thing I ever did for my health, which helps my mental health, it’s made me more confident in myself and my capabilities, so I am happier.
• I’ve been going to weekly yoga for years, it’s relaxing and good for the mind/body.
• I love spending time with family, friends, good food, walks, and just having great connections with people who matter.